Neymar's absence could spur on Copa hosts Brazil


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - International Friendly - Brazil v Qatar - Mane Garrincha Stadium, Brasilia, Brazil - June 5, 2019 Brazil’s Neymar during the match REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil expect to win every tournament they play, especially at home, but they go into next week’s Copa America without their talisman Neymar and lacking some of the sparkle that has long been their stock in trade.

They have not lost since Belgium dumped them out of the 2018 World Cup in the quarter-finals but their 10-game unbeaten run – with the exception of last week’s 7-0 drubbing of 10-man Honduras - has come largely without the usual flair.

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